Board approves Liberty Justice Center pro bono agreement amid heated public comment
May 15, 2024 | Rocklin Unified, School Districts, California
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The Rocklin Unified School District Board voted 4–1 on May 15 to accept a pro bono engagement with the Liberty Justice Center to provide outside litigation services in an ongoing dispute with the California Department of Education (CDE) over the district’s parental‑notification policy.
Superintendent Stock presented the agreement, describing it as pro bono representation in the district's response to a CDE writ of mandate. "The legal services agreement before the board tonight with the Liberty Justice Center is to provide pro bono legal services to the Rocklin Unified School District in this matter," Stock said during the agenda presentation.
Trustee Michelle Southerland voiced strong concerns about transparency and risk, warning that litigation could be conducted in closed session and that the district could face financial liability if it loses. "Once this board approves the legal services agreement tonight we as a board will not really have any obligation to keep the community informed of decisions that are being made," Southerland said, urging a more cautious approach and suggesting the district retain independent counsel instead.
Dozens of residents addressed the board during a lengthy public‑comment period. Speakers opposing the agreement argued the Liberty Justice Center is politically motivated, warned of fiscal risk if the district were ordered to pay damages or the state's attorney fees, and urged the board to rescind the policy to avoid litigation. Opponents included parents and representatives of local advocacy groups who said the policy endangers student privacy and safety.
Other commenters supported the board’s intent to seek legal clarification, framed the disagreement as a matter of parental rights and local control, and praised trustees for pursuing what they called a principled defense of district policy.
On the roll call, the vote to accept the Liberty Justice Center agreement passed with four trustees voting yes and one trustee voting no. The board recorded the vote and carried the item. Trustees noted the contract includes a clause allowing the district to approve media communications and that the Liberty Justice Center will work with district counsel.
The vote does not resolve the underlying litigation. The district remains subject to CDE processes, potential financial exposure if a court finds for CDE, and the possibility of additional legal actions by employees or other parties. Trustees said they will provide further public information within legal constraints as the matter proceeds.
Superintendent Stock presented the agreement, describing it as pro bono representation in the district's response to a CDE writ of mandate. "The legal services agreement before the board tonight with the Liberty Justice Center is to provide pro bono legal services to the Rocklin Unified School District in this matter," Stock said during the agenda presentation.
Trustee Michelle Southerland voiced strong concerns about transparency and risk, warning that litigation could be conducted in closed session and that the district could face financial liability if it loses. "Once this board approves the legal services agreement tonight we as a board will not really have any obligation to keep the community informed of decisions that are being made," Southerland said, urging a more cautious approach and suggesting the district retain independent counsel instead.
Dozens of residents addressed the board during a lengthy public‑comment period. Speakers opposing the agreement argued the Liberty Justice Center is politically motivated, warned of fiscal risk if the district were ordered to pay damages or the state's attorney fees, and urged the board to rescind the policy to avoid litigation. Opponents included parents and representatives of local advocacy groups who said the policy endangers student privacy and safety.
Other commenters supported the board’s intent to seek legal clarification, framed the disagreement as a matter of parental rights and local control, and praised trustees for pursuing what they called a principled defense of district policy.
On the roll call, the vote to accept the Liberty Justice Center agreement passed with four trustees voting yes and one trustee voting no. The board recorded the vote and carried the item. Trustees noted the contract includes a clause allowing the district to approve media communications and that the Liberty Justice Center will work with district counsel.
The vote does not resolve the underlying litigation. The district remains subject to CDE processes, potential financial exposure if a court finds for CDE, and the possibility of additional legal actions by employees or other parties. Trustees said they will provide further public information within legal constraints as the matter proceeds.
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